Dan and Chelsea discuss retirement planning for mixed households, with one spouse in the federal sector and the other in private, offering helpful tips and insights. They also cover 2026 COLA predictions, inflation trends, and a recent survey highlighting growing concerns among seniors about rising costs impacting retirement savings.
Dan explores mixed retirement households where one spouse is a federal employee and the other works in the private sector. He compares TSP for federal workers with 401(k)s and similar plans for the private sector, covering topics like Social Security claiming strategies and fund differences. He discusses catch-up contributions, lifecycle funds, and the importance of retaining FEHB in retirement. Dan also emphasizes the need to strategically plan which retirement accounts to withdraw from, and the importance of working with a financial professional for optimal planning.
Chelsea reviews TSCL’s 2026 COLA prediction, compares it to 2025, and explains how COLA is calculated using the CPI-W. She examines inflation trends since 2022, rising healthcare premiums, and concerns from a survey of over 3,000 seniors about rising costs draining retirement savings, particularly for those relying on fixed incomes like CSRS/FERS pensions and Social Security. Chelsea also highlights the TSCL director’s call for a minimum 3% COLA to keep up with increasing costs.
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The FedLife Podcast is your in-depth, biweekly deep dive into the world of federal benefits and retirement planning. Hosted by federal benefits expert Ed Zurndorfer and Dan Sipe of Serving Those Who Serve, each 30-minute episode unpacks the complexities of FERS and CSRS retirement, FEHB and Medicare, survivor benefits, tax planning, and more. Designed for federal employees and retirees who want more than just the basics, FedLife goes beyond the headlines to explore the rules, nuances, and strategies that can make a meaningful difference in your retirement. Remember: it’s your Fed life, make it a great one.
The Fed15 Podcast is your weekly 15(ish)-minute briefing on federal benefits and financial planning, built specifically for federal employees and retirees. Hosted by Dan Sipe and Katelyn Murray of Serving Those Who Serve, each episode delivers clear, actionable guidance on topics like FERS and CSRS retirement, TSP strategies, FEHB, survivor benefits, tax planning, and more! Whether you’re five years from retirement or already there, The Fed15 helps you cut through the noise, avoid costly mistakes, and make confident decisions about your federal benefits.
